[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8572-S8575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTES TO RETIRING SENATORS


                             Joe Lieberman

  Mr. COATS. Mr. President I wish to thank my friend, my long-time 
friend whom I hate to see leave this body, Senator Lieberman from 
Connecticut, for his remarks.
  I didn't have the opportunity to speak after he gave his farewell 
remarks. I do wish to say, before I get into the reason I came down 
here--I am happy to see him here so I can say this--it has been a joy 
to serve with him over the years.
  I am in my second life in the Senate, and during my first life we 
served together on the Armed Services Committee. We did a number of 
initiatives together on which I was proud to be associated with him, 
that I believe strengthened our national economy and our security team 
around the world. We worked on school vouchers for DC and a number of 
other initiatives affecting the future of our military and other issues 
that were of importance to us.
  Most important, from my standpoint, we worked together to bring 
values that each of us cherish based on our faith. Joe is of the Jewish 
faith, and I am of the Christian faith. We discovered on a trip to 
Iraq, just after Desert Storm, that we, in talking to each other, 
shared our respective faiths and how it affected our lives, how it 
affected our families, and how it helped us form decisions we make. Of 
course, coming from two different parties, we didn't find agreement on 
everything, but we found agreement on a number of things, particularly 
those things where we shared common values, where our faith shared 
common values and where individually we shared those values.
  Under the direction of a rabbi from Chicago we cochaired the Center 
for Jewish and Christian Values, bringing

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together Jews and Christians to talk about what they had in common and 
what values we could work together on for the betterment of our country 
and for the betterment of our society. Too often we bring groups 
together of different persuasions to discuss, argue, and debate the 
differences. This was different because we brought these groups 
together, distinguished leaders from both sides, prominent leaders from 
both sides, to set aside those differences and work to find those 
values we had in common. It was a joy to participate in that with 
Senator Lieberman and to cochair that.
  We have remained friends. His contributions to our country, not just 
representing a State but representing America around the world, will 
long be remembered and will have great impact and effect. We are losing 
a real talent, and we are losing a real gentleman. We are losing 
someone who is an example of how he conducts himself and is an example 
for all of us as to how we ought to conduct ourselves, and we don't 
always do that.
  But Joe Lieberman has left a lasting impression on me--and I know a 
number of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle--and he will be 
sorely missed.
  One thing I am happy about is that we will continue a lifelong 
friendship, and I am looking forward to many more opportunities for 
Senator Lieberman to work on matters of interest but will enjoy a 
continued sharing of the commonalities of our Judeo-Christian faiths.


                              Kent Conrad

  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize my colleague 
Kent Conrad for his many years of distinguished service and leadership 
on behalf of our country and the people of North Dakota. It has been 
such an honor for me to serve with Kent as my neighboring Senator these 
last 6 years.
  I like to kid with Kent that it seems like North Dakota is always in 
the middle of some kind of drought or flood or other natural disaster. 
There's actually a joke I once told him about how you can spot a 
tourist from North Dakota in the middle of a beach in Florida. It's 
easy--they are the ones putting all the sand in sandbags.
  But jokes aside, Kent has been truly tireless in his work to improve 
our current flood prevention measures and to ensure North Dakota has 
the tools it needs to prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
  As anyone who has worked with him on the Agriculture Committee knows, 
he has also been an outstanding advocate for our Nation's farmers, 
ranchers, and rural communities. Kent has consistently led efforts to 
strengthen the sugar program, which is critical to sugar beet growers 
in States like North Dakota and Minnesota. He played a key role in 
crafting both the 2002 and 2008 Farm Bills, and he was a driving force 
in getting the 2012 Farm Bill drafted and passed out of the Senate on a 
strong bipartisan vote in June.
  So there is no question that Kent's expertise on farm policy will be 
sorely missed. As Congressman Collin Peterson likes to say, ``There are 
only 11 people who truly understand how the complex farm payment 
programs work. And ten of them are in North Dakota.'' Well, with Kent 
retiring I guess there will only be nine.
  Whether it's standing up for farmers or fighting floods or saving the 
Minot military base, Kent has touched and improved the lives of people 
in every corner of North Dakota. At the national level, he has been an 
outspoken leader on the issue of debt reduction and has consistently 
advocated for policies that benefit the middle class.
  It would be impossible to do full justice to Kent's legacy in a 
single statement, so instead I will simply say this: North Dakota is 
better off because of Kent Conrad's leadership, and so is our country. 
Senator, thank you for all of the friendship, wisdom and support you 
have shown me over the years. You will be missed, but I know that even 
in retirement you will continue to find ways to improve our great 
country and work for the people of North Dakota.


                               Herb Kohl

  Mr. President, I wish to recognize my colleague Herb Kohl for his 
many years of distinguished service and leadership on behalf of our 
country and the people of Wisconsin.
  It has been an incredible honor for me to serve with Herb as 
neighboring Senators these last 6 years. He is a statesman in the 
truest sense of the term, not to mention one of the most genuinely kind 
and steadfast public servants of our time. This is the reason he is so 
admired in the Senate, and it is how he came to be known as one of the 
most beloved and respected public figures in the State of Wisconsin.
  Like Herb, my mom was born and raised in Milwaukee. I have many fond 
memories of visiting Wisconsin and can personally attest to how loved 
and respected Herb Kohl is throughout the State. People know him for 
the jobs he created as a businessman. They know him for the scholarship 
program created in his name. And of course, they know him for the way 
he ``saved basketball'' by keeping the Bucks in Milwaukee. But above 
all, people know Herb for his consistent record of putting Wisconsin 
first.
  From strengthening Wisconsin's manufacturing sector and keeping jobs 
in the State to improving the MILC program and better supporting our 
dairy farmers, Herb has touched and improved the lives of people across 
Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest. At the national level, he has 
earned a reputation as a masterful policymaker with a quiet, 
commonsense approach to legislating that is the stuff of Senate legend. 
But don't be fooled by Herb's even keel.
  When it comes to protecting consumers and standing up for the middle 
class, few people are as fiercely committed as Herb Kohl. As chair of 
the Antitrust Subcommittee, he has been a truly tireless champion for 
consumer rights and competition policy. I've seen this firsthand, while 
working with him on legislation to crack down on captive shipping in 
the rail industry and to restrict the so-called pay-to-delay deals that 
keep affordable prescription drugs off the market.
  Senator Kohl, it would be impossible to do full justice to your 
legacy in a single statement. So instead I will simply say this: 
Wisconsin is better off because of your leadership, and so is our 
country. Thank you for all of the friendship, wisdom and support you 
have shown me over the years. You will be missed, but I know that even 
in retirement you will continue to find ways to improve our great 
country and work for the people of Wisconsin.


                          Kay Bailey Hutchison

  Mr. President, I wish to recognize my colleague Kay Bailey Hutchison 
for her many years of distinguished service and leadership on behalf of 
our country and the great State of Texas.
  Over the course of her 19 years in the Senate, Kay has earned a 
reputation for being one of Washington's hardest-working and most 
masterful policy makers. I've seen this firsthand, while working with 
her on a number of different issues over the years.
  During the debate over Wall Street reform, Kay and I teamed up on 
legislation that helped keep the lights on at over 600 community banks 
in Minnesota and over 2,000 in the State of Texas. We also worked 
together to update and improve our Federal anti-stalking laws, making 
it easier for law enforcement to crack down on high-tech predators 
using devices like spyware and video surveillance. In both cases, I was 
impressed with Kay's ability to reach across the aisle and find 
commonsense solutions.
  No matter what the issue, Kay has always stood up for the people of 
her State. She has been a strong and consistent voice for the people of 
Texas, but I also think it's important to recognize her role as a 
pioneer for women.
  I will never forget a story Kay once told me, about how she was one 
of just seven women in her law school class and couldn't find a job at 
any of the all-male Houston law firms when she graduated. So instead, 
she took a job covering the Texas State Legislature for a local TV 
station.
  Kay clearly caught the political bug, because it was just a few years 
later that she ran for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. 
When she won, she became the first Republican woman ever elected to 
that body. She shattered another glass ceiling in 1993, when she became 
the first woman to represent Texas in the Senate. It was a milestone 
for women everywhere from the Lone Star State to the North Star State.
  When I was running for the Senate in Minnesota in 2006, only two 
women had run before me and both of them had lost. This came up during 
my campaign

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when reporters would ask me, ``Can a woman win in Minnesota?'' My 
response? Of course. A woman won in Texas.
  So even before I knew Kay personally, I was inspired by her story and 
by everything she had accomplished. Senator, thank you for all of the 
friendship, wisdom and support you have shown me over the years. You 
will be missed, but I know that even in retirement you will continue to 
find ways to improve our great country and give back to the people of 
the State you love so much.


                               Ben Nelson

  Mr. President, I wish to recognize my colleague Ben Nelson for his 
many years of distinguished service and leadership on behalf of our 
country and the people of Nebraska.
  It has been an honor to serve with Ben over the past 6 years. He is a 
true statesman and a champion for the people of Nebraska. During his 
time in the Senate, Ben has earned a reputation as a pragmatist who 
values problem-solving over partisanship, and I have admired his 
sensible, commonsense approach to legislating.
  Ben seemed to be destined for public service from an early age, 
winning his first election at the age of 17, and he is known for his 
consistent record of putting Nebraska first. No matter what the issue, 
Ben has always stood up for his State and he has improved the lives of 
people across Nebraska. At a national level he has been a strong voice 
for fiscal responsibility and shared sacrifice.
  Having grown up in a small town in Nebraska, Ben has never forgotten 
his roots. While serving on the Senate Agriculture Committee with Ben I 
saw firsthand his deep appreciation and respect for the farmers, 
outdoorsmen, and rural communities that are vital not just to our 
economy but to our way of life in the Midwest.
  He was instrumental in crafting both the 2008 and the 2012 Farm Bills 
and he has been a clear and consistent advocate for homegrown energy, 
leading the way on policies to help our country achieve energy 
independence.
  He has also been a champion for our men and women in uniform, helping 
to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and our veterans receive the 
support they need and deserve.
  Senator Nelson, it would be impossible to do full justice to your 
legacy in a single statement. So instead let me simply say this: The 
State of Nebraska is better because of your leadership, and so is our 
country. You will be missed in the Senate, but given everything you 
accomplished before you were elected--as Governor of Nebraska and as a 
successful businessman--I know in your retirement you will continue to 
find ways to improve our great country and work for the people of 
Nebraska.


                             Olympia Snowe

  Mr. President, I wish to recognize my colleague Olympia Snowe for her 
many years of distinguished service and leadership on behalf of our 
country and the great State of Maine.
  Olympia has long been a friend and mentor to me. In fact, she was 
assigned to be my official Republican mentor in the Senate, and she has 
been a great one.
  That was almost 6 years ago. So much has happened in that time, but 
throughout it all I have continued to be impressed with Olympia's 
grace, composure and unfailing ability to find commonsense solutions. 
Time and again, she has reached across the aisle to put politics aside 
and get things done for the good of her State and the country.
  In addition to being a voice for bipartisanship, Olympia has earned a 
reputation as one of the Senate's most masterful policy makers. I've 
seen this firsthand, while working with her on a number of different 
issues over the years. Olympia cosponsored my very first major bill in 
the Senate ``Carbon Counter'' legislation to reduce carbon emissions 
and combat global climate change.
  I also had the pleasure of working with her to create an Airline 
``Passengers Bill of Rights,'' which was included in the 2011 FAA 
reauthorization bill and has led to a significant decrease in tarmac 
delays. And we joined forces again this year, on legislation aimed at 
addressing sexual assault in our military by improving the process for 
tracking and reviewing claims.
  Working with Olympia these last 6 years has been an incredible 
privilege for me. I've respected her as a policymaker, particularly for 
her work on national security and small business issues. I've admired 
her for her outspoken leadership and commonsense approach to 
legislating. And maybe most importantly, I've genuinely enjoyed her as 
a friend and a colleague--for her kindness, for her wisdom, and for her 
unfailing good nature.
  Olympia has been a truly outstanding voice for the State of Maine and 
a great leader for the people of this country. To say that she will be 
missed would be a tremendous understatement, but I know she will 
continue to find ways to improve our great country and give back to the 
State she loves so much. Thank you, Senator Snowe. I wish you the best.


                             Joe Lieberman

  Mr. President, I wish to recognize my colleague Joe Lieberman for his 
many years of distinguished service and leadership on behalf of our 
country and the people of Connecticut.
  Joe will always have a special place in my heart. As many of my 
colleagues know, he was actually one of my professors in college. He 
gave me one of my first introductions to the political process through 
a seminar he taught on the subject of the national political parties. 
Interestingly enough, Senator Sherrod Brown also took that same class 
just a few years earlier. Even more interesting is the fact that 
everyone remembers what grade I got, but no one seems to recall what 
grade Sherrod got.
  But I digress. Not many political science professors can say they've 
taught two concurrently serving U.S. Senators. Joe can, however, and I 
think that's an enormous tribute to his character and genuine zest for 
public policy. As one of his former students, I made a point of 
following his career over the years and always admired his political 
courage. But it never occurred to me that I might someday be serving 
alongside him in the Senate.
  Working with Joe these last 6 years has been an incredible privilege 
for me. I've respected him as a policymaker, particularly for his work 
on national security and climate change. I've admired him for his 
outspoken leadership and commonsense approach to legislating. And maybe 
most importantly, I've genuinely enjoyed him as a friend and a 
colleague--for his kindness, for his wisdom, and for his famous sense 
of humor.
  Joe Lieberman has been a truly outstanding voice for the State of 
Connecticut and a great leader for the people of this country. To say 
that he will be missed would be a tremendous understatement, but I know 
he will continue to find ways to improve our great country and give 
back to the State he loves so much, even in retirement. Thank you, 
Senator Lieberman. I wish you the best.


                                Jim Webb

  Mr. President, I wish to recognize my colleague Jim Webb for his 
distinguished service and leadership on behalf of our country and the 
people of Virginia.
  I will always have a special place in my heart for Jim Webb, and that 
is because he and I were members of the same incoming class of Senators 
back in 2007. We ran for the Senate at the same time in 2006, and to 
this day I will never forget how he wore his son's old combat boots on 
the campaign trail. Day in and day out, no matter where he went, no 
matter what the weather, Jim was walking tall in those boots.
  Since his very first days in office, Jim has been a tireless champion 
for our men and women in uniform. On day one, he introduced a 21st 
Century GI Bill to deliver the most comprehensive educational benefits 
since World War II. It led to legislation that was eventually signed 
into law, and it has made it possible for tens of thousands of post-911 
troops and veterans to afford a college education.
  While Jim is best known for his leadership on defense and military 
issues, he has also earned a reputation for being a problem solver who 
takes a commonsense, bipartisan approach to legislating. Time and 
again, Jim has reached across the aisle to put politics aside and get 
things done for the good of the country. He has been a clear and 
consistent voice for energy independence and a stalwart advocate for 
policies that benefit the middle class. As a

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former prosecutor, I have greatly admired his work to improve our 
criminal justice system from top to bottom--not just by strengthening 
law enforcement, but by addressing systemic challenges of reentry and 
recidivism.
  Jim, it would be impossible to do full justice to your legacy in a 
single statement. So instead allow me to end by saying this: The 
Commonwealth of Virginia is better because of your leadership, and so 
is our country.
  You will be missed in the Senate, but given everything you 
accomplished before you were elected--as Secretary of the Navy, as an 
Emmy award-winning journalist, as the author of nine books--I'm 
confident you will find some way to occupy your time in retirement. I 
know you will continue to find ways to improve our great country and 
give back to the State you love so much. Thank you, Senator Webb. I 
wish you the best.


                              Scott Brown

  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise to express my gratitude to Scott 
Brown, with whom I have enjoyed the privilege of serving for the past 3 
years. During that time, Senator Brown and I served together on the 
Homeland Security and Government Services Committee, which I have 
chaired, as well as the Senate Armed Services Committee, where he and I 
have worked closely together as chairman and ranking member.
  Senator Brown's life story is a testament to our power to overcome 
any obstacle. His aptly titled memoir, ``Against All Odds,'' describes 
how despite suffering through a childhood in which he had to steal in 
order to help feed his sister and in which he was the victim of abuse, 
he rose to attend college and law school, serve in the Army National 
Guard, and eventually be elected to the U.S. Senate. Senator Brown 
should be a role model to every young American who looks at themselves 
in the mirror and wonders whether they can overcome the obstacles in 
their path, because he has.
  Senator Brown has been an invaluable Member of the Senate and the 
committees on which he has served, lending a voice of reason in an ever 
more partisan time. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, 
Senator Brown played a critical role in the debate on whether to repeal 
the military's don't ask, don't tell policy, grilling witnesses at the 
committee's hearings on the issue throughout the year. Senator Brown 
was forthright in his view that the law should not be changed until 
Congress fully understood any possible risks associated with acting on 
the issue, but after he had studied the report issued by the Defense 
Department's working group tasked with reviewing the issue, he lent his 
strong voice in support of repeal. For that, I am grateful, as are the 
tens of thousands of gay and lesbian servicemembers who no longer serve 
under the threat of separation because of who they are.
  In the 112th Congress, Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on 
Airland, he and I were responsible for overseeing the tactical aviation 
and land power programs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. 
It was a great pleasure working with Scott on these important matters, 
and I always benefitted from his experience as a guardsman when 
reviewing these programs.
  As a member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 
Committee, Senator Brown fought for and achieved passage of the Stop 
Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, STOCK Act, a bill that forbids 
Members of Congress and their staffs from profiting in any way from the 
information they obtain as part of the job that is not public. It is a 
testament to his service in the Senate that one of Scott Brown's most 
notable accomplishments was a bill to uphold the standards of the 
ethical behavior of Congress. It was an honor to work with Senator 
Brown on this important effort.
  As ranking member on the Federal Financial Management Subcommittee, 
Scott Brown joined his chairman, Tom Carper, along with full committee 
ranking member Susan Collins and me to introduce the bipartisan 21st 
Century Postal Service Act, which the full Senate endorsed on April 25, 
2012. This bill reflected many hours of tough negotiations in which 
Scott played a key role, and set out a balanced plan to get the Postal 
Service's finances back in order.
  Senator Scott Brown has enriched the work of the Senate and the lives 
of his colleagues over the past 3 years. He brought to the Senate not 
only his considerable talents but a great sense of humor, which was 
particularly helpful in the 3 tough years he was here. I wish him and 
his family all the best as he opens a new chapter of his own life and 
know that he will continue to serve our country in ways that really 
matter.

                          ____________________